Cornwall got their County Championship campaign at under 20 level off to a great start with an impressive 51-16 win over Somerset at Camborne, reports Bill Hooper.

Despite trailing at half-time 15-16 when playing into the wind, Cornwall stepped up a gear during the second half scoring thirty-six unanswered points to the delight of their coaches Tom Rawlings and Ryan Westren.

Cornwall got off to a fine start with Redruth’s Tom Notman scoring the opening try after just 5 minutes with an arching run following a scrum in the Somerset 22. Aaron Penberthy who had travelled back from Redruth’s National League 1 defeat at Tynedale overnight was on cue with the conversion.

Cornwall were then rocked from the restart as Truro lock Ben Kemp was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. Somerset’s Brad Barns was unable to find the target with his penalty effort , but was on cue moments later as he converted his own try following a lineout near the clubhouse corner, the fly-half saw a gap and dotted down.
Penberthy nudged Cornwall ahead again with a penalty from in front of the posts as Somerset went off side.

Cornwall were taking the game to their opponents especially through the forwards with Kemp now restored to the fray making some telling breaks along with his backrow of skipper Jordan Rose (Penryn), James Goldsworthy (Camborne) and the excellent Adam Lewarne (Redruth). In the front row Matt Williams (Penryn) and the Redruth duo of Ben Gregor and Peter Jenkin were giving their Somerset opponents a torrid time.

Further pressure from Cornwall saw them score a second try down in the Park gate corner with Williams coming up with the ball from a forward drive.

Somerset were reduced to fourteen men as flanker Arthur Taylor was yellow carded as his side continued to infringe at the breakdown. Cornwall – who lost full back Luke Davidson just before half-time to injury – couldn’t capitalise, instead it was the visitors who troubled the scoreboard in the lead up to half-time with two further penalties from Barns to go into their half-time huddle 16-15 up.

Barnes missed with an early penalty attempt at the start of the second half, as Cornwall again found themselves down to fourteen men as hooker Ben Gregor was deemed to have transgressed. Spurred on Cornwall then took the game by the scuff-of-the-neck with an excellent try from No.8 Lewarne cutting back after taking a pass from scrum-half Luke Ashbridge to score near the posts.

A powerful forward drive down towards the scoreboard corner was heading for the line, however referee Chris Newton had no hesitation in awarding a penalty-try as Somerset infringed.

As the rain began to pour, Gregor now back on the field charged over for Cornwall’s fifth try, all three second half scores were converted by Penberthy who also landed a penalty to put Cornwall well in command at 39-16.

Cornwall were then able to put the icing on the cake with two further tries before the end from replacement Gavin Laycock in the clubhouse corner and finally from Notman who claimed his second of the match with Penberthy adding his fifth conversion.

Afterwards joint-coaches Tom Rawlings and Ryan Westren were both full of praise for their players “The boys were superb today, said Rawlings. “They have had only a couple of training sessions and they really put the effort in, we instilled them with a game plan during those sessions and today they have operated the style and structure we wanted to them to play, the result of that hard work was shown in their performance”.

Rawlings also had a special word for lock Ben Kemp “He was immense carrying ball for fun, he was looking for the holes he ran at people, a tremendous performance. The front row were also tremendous, we gave the man-of-the-match award in the post match huddle with the players to prop Matt Williams, we thought he was simply outstanding this afternoon”.

Cornwall’s next match is against Devon at Ivybridge on Sunday 7th March.

Cornwall 51 pts
Tries – Notman (2), Williams, Lewarne, Penalty-try, Gregor, Laycock, Conversions – Penberthy (5), Penalties – Penberthy (2)
Yellow Cards – Kemp (5), Gregor (48)

Somerset 16 pts
Try – Barns, Conversion – Barns, Penalties – Barns (3)
Yellow Card – Taylor (23)

Cornwall: L Davidson (Wadebridge Camels), T Notman (Redruth), L Yeo (Wellington), M Fittock (Penryn), R Vassel (Notts Uni), A Penberthy (Redruth), L Ashbridge (Truro); M Williams (Penryn), B Gregor, P Jenkin (both Redruth), M Grubb (Wadebridge Camels), B Kemp (Truro), J Goldsworthy (Camborne), J Rose (Penryn, captain), A Lewarne (Redruth)

Replacements (all used): R. Brown (St. Austell), H Morcom (St. Austel), J Scott (Wadebridge Camels), J Wilson (Bude) J Taylor (Wadebridge Camels), K Spear (Cornish All Blacks), G Laycock (Penryn)

Somerset: D Wheatley (Wells), R Johnston (Castle Cary), N Bradley (Bridgewater & Albion), M Fairless (Keynsham), M Knight (Avondale), B Barns (Oldfield), M Skinner (N.Petherton); S Hegerty (Hornets), J Pullen (Castle Cary, captain), N Berry (Exeter Coll), O Jones, R Thompson, T Wain (all Clevedon) A Taylor (Frome), S Butler (N Petherton)

Replacements (all used): A Foster (Keynsham & Glamorgan Uni), A Parfitt (Midsummer Norton), S Russell (Bridgewater & Albion), C Wake (Castle Cary), J Nowell (Broad Plain), C Beavis (Keynsham)

Referee: Mr. C Newton (Devon RRS)

Crowd: 200

In the other match in Cornwall’s group Gloucestershire defeated Devon by 29-12

CORNWALL Under 20`s V Somerset Under 20`s.

From the Cornwall RFU

To be played at Camborne RFC on Sunday 20th February 2011 2.30pm kick off.

Joint coaches Ryan Westren and Tom Rawlings have announced the following side to take on Somerset U.20’s in the opening match of this season’s Championship.

15. Luke Davidson Wadebridge Camels.
14. Tom Notman Redruth.
13. Liam Yeo Wellington.
12. Mike Fittock Penryn.
11. Romey Vassel Nottingham Uni.
10. Aaron Penberthy Redruth.
9. Luke Ashbridge Truro.

1. Matt Williams Penryn.
2. Ben Gregor Redruth.
3. Peter Jenkin Redruth.
4. Mark Grubb Wadebridge Camels
5. Ben Kemp Truro
6.James Goldsworthy Camborne.
7. Jordan Rose Penryn. (Captain)
8. Adam Lewarne Redruth.

Replacements;-

16. Ryan Brown. St. Austell.
17.Harvey Morcom. St. Austell
18. Jack Scott Wadebridge Camels.
19. Joe Wilson. Bude.
20.Josh Taylor. Wadebridge Camels.
21.Tian Peacock. Falmouth.
22. Gavin Laycock Penryn

Reserves to travel;
Will Webster.
Kyle Spear.

Just three days after Dicky Evans outlined his plans for a new stadium near Truro what better advert to bolster his ideas than the fantastic televised game at the Mennaye on Sunday when the Cornish Pirates gave leaders Worcester Warriors another terrible fright, having won at Worcester’s Sixways ground 23-21 earlier in the season to inflict their sole defeat in the Championship thus far, before eventually going down by 33-30.

It was certainly the best advert this season for the RFU Championship a full house at the Mennaye and a pulsating match, which ebbed and flowed with the Cornish Pirates arriving at half-time 25-7 up having scored three quite wonderful tries in which winger Wes Davies featured prominently. A provider for the first two before scoring the third himself. Two breaks putting first flanker Phil Burgess in, good to see the flanker back in harness and straight back to his best form and then to feed Grant Pointer in at the Newlyn gate corner. Davies claiming the Pirates’ third try following a break from Matt Hopper, who was unlucky not to have been awarded a try earlier during the first half when he looked to have grounded the ball.

Worcester to their credit worked their way back into the game through their forwards aided by a yellow card for hooker Dave Ward to lead 26-25 , also the bizarre decision to go to the TMO to check on Goode’s conversion attempt, which both asssitant referees felt had not gone through the posts. So much for the referee’s decision being final!!

Pirates looked to have won the game when Rob Cook went over late on for their fourth try but once again the Warriors hit back through the forwards with Pat Sanderson getting his second try of the game, it was a good afternoon to be watching down at the Newlyn end of the ground seven out of the nine tries were scored down at that end. Goode this time had no such problems putting the ball through the uprights, however he was lucky to be on the pitch as he clearly held on to James Doherty’s foot when on the ground and as such out of the game a clear professional foul missed by the officials!

So will the Pirates meet the Warriors again in the play-offs? Well if those games are as good as the last two then we are all in for another treat and that can only make the call for the new stadium that much louder.

Penryn maintained top spot in Tribute Western Counties West following a 17-0 win at the Memorial Ground against nearest rivals Wellington.

It was sweet revenge for the Borough against the only side to have beaten them in the league earlier in the season. However, Penryn will no doubt be disappointed that they didn’t score a fourth try to collect the extra bonus point.

Penryn got off to a great start with an un-converted try scored by flanker James Mann after just five minutes, but they were rocked losing flanker Nathan Pascoe after only ten minutes with a shoulder injury, young Jordan Rose coming on off the bench.

Wellington came into the game more but couldn’t turn pressure into points with full back Mark Nichols spurning two kickable first half penalties.
Instead it was Penryn who got the important score before half-time with winger Darren Pellow scoring down in the clubhouse corner for a 10-0 half-time lead.

Penryn started the second period well with a third try scored by scrum-half Taron Peacock following a good run by Rose, fly-half Dave Pascoe was on target with the conversion.

James Mann was his usual busy self having a big game for the Borough with Jordan Rose also frequently catching the eye.
Penryn couldn’t add to their tally and were on the back foot during the closing stages as Wellington looked to salvage a score but the Penryn defence held firm with Rose putting in a try-saving tackle to foil the visitors.

Penryn 17 pts
Tries – J Mann, Pellow, Peacock, Conversion – D Pascoe

Wellington 0 pts

Penryn: A Winnan, D Pellow, C Mann, P Webster, J Chambers, D Pascoe, T Peacock; R Burns, S Harrison (capt), S Heard, A Giles, K Hughes, N Pascoe, J Mann, G Randlesome
Replacement (all used): E Pattison, R Banks, J Rose

Wellington: M Nichols, B Williams, R Porter, L Yeo, K Breeze, R Trott,T Jenkinson (capt); C Shore, J Hendy, T Keeble, D Sims, L Willcocks, D Moore, S Bellamy, C Kitto
Replacements (all used): M Norman, A Shepland, A Bellamy

Referee: Mr S Lord (CRRS)

TAKEN FROM THE CORNISH PIRATES SITE RESUMEE OF THE MEETING HELD AT THE MENNAYE ON THURSDAY EVENING

It was back in 2005 that the Cornish Pirates declared their dream of one day making the Premiership.
It is a dream that is still very much alive, and one given a boost following a meeting that took place in the Travis Perkins Marquee at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, last night.

Addressing a large number of ‘Pirates Futures’ members and members of Penzance & Newlyn RFC, the Chairman of Directors for the Cornish Pirates, Dicky Evans, announced that following meetings with the Cornwall Council a chance of a stadium for Cornwall was REAL.

Evans has put together an advisory team comprising legal,financial and stadium management experts who have analysed the proposals contained in a feasibility study commissioned by the Council. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the Club could proceed to enter into a ten year management contract with the Council to manage the stadium at NIL COST to the Council and also therefore by association the council taxpayer.

The Cornish Pirates intend to put a proposal to the Council by the middle of February with a view to support a Council Cabinet approval in the short term followed by planning approval later in the year.

The achievement of Premiership status is the first target to underwrite forward financial budgets and the Club has now agreed budgets for a fully funded full time squad initially next season as the Pirates aim higher. It will take time to achieve as other clubs have found but the commitment is now in place with the Club moving to the new stadium as soon as its ready no matter where they are league wise.

The reaction of members at last evening’s meeting was extremely POSITIVE in support, but there are still various details to be considered.

As a part of the plans to move forward, the Pirates will have a slightly bigger full-time squad next season, to keep building what is an impressive developing team under the leadership of high performance manager Chris Stirling and the club coaches. In reply, Mr. Stirling commented that he was excited about the prospects, feeling “that the club was not far off now from having a crack at the Premiership.” Besides player numbers, off field staff would also be added to in a couple of areas.

The personal commitment by Mr. Evans would be considerable, but it was also hoped that supporters would participate in a debenture scheme to raise funds- further details to be confirmed in the next few days. The reaction from those present at the meeting certainly indicated that a worthy level of support for such a scheme from prospective debenture holders.

Many people feel that Premiership rugby is both deliverable and viable in Cornwall, which is one of the few genuine HOTBEDS of rugby in the country, and for supporters it is their chance to make it happen.

There was a question and answer session, thanks were expressed to various volunteers, whilst the point was also made that the time had come for Penzance & Newlyn RFC to stand up and manage itself, as Mr. Evans would have to concentrate on the financing for the Cornish Pirates going forward once they leave the Mennaye.

A further important announcement confirmed that Rod Coward, CEO for the Cornish Pirates, had decided to stand down at the end of the season. Commenting on the decision, Mr. Evans said: “Rod has been a fantastic CEO, and thanks are expressed to him not just from myself, but also my family and all of our supporters.”

The Cornish Pirates will in time appoint a new CEO, but for the immediate future it is felt that there is a core of staff who can hold things together until such an appointment is made.

REDRUTH 15 – 21 LONDON SCOTTISH

Redruth had to settle for a losing bonus point with fly-half Aaron Penberthy’s final penalty kick at the end of an absorbing National League 1 encounter with high-flying London Scottish.

It was a game that ebbed and flowed with both sides having periods of domination, however the Scottish exiles’ ball retention proved superior when they strung together multiple phases of play, with giant locks Andy Newman, Josh Brown and influential No. 8 Willie Lipp they had powerful ball carriers to get them over the game line also in scrum-half and former England 7’s star Simon Amor a scrum-half capable of getting a lively backline on the front foot. At the end of the day London Scottish were relieved to get a win in a fixture, which former Redruth player Lewis Calder, who was thrilled to be back in Cornwall, acknowledged to be their toughest away fixture. For the former Scotland U.20 captain it proved to be a bittersweet return to the Recreation Ground, scoring his side’s opening try and then collecting the first of his sides’ three yellow cards towards the end of the second half as a rampant Redruth racked up the pressure.

Redruth especially in the forwards gave the visitors a game to remember typified by a man-of-the-match performance by prop forward Peter Joyce, who at times was like a rampaging bull around the park. Fellow prop Darren Jacques battle scared features at the final whistle, testament to the ferocity of the forward exchanges.

The Scottish exiles took the field to the swirl of the pipes, closely followed by a determined Mark Bright leading out the Reds. The home side kicked off playing up the slope with a strong breeze at their backs. Scrum-half Mark Richards soon settled into his kicking game with some good kicks pinning the exiles back in their own twenty-two. From a scrum near the visitors line the ball was moved right with winger Sean Hawkey making a strong run down the touchline towards the scoreboard corner, the forwards re-cycled the ball with full-back Paul Thirlby squeezing over for the opening try, Penberthy couldn’t add the extras in the tricky conditions.

Despite this early setback London Scottish stormed back at Redruth in impressive fashion, the Reds defence held firm with Bright putting in a bone-crunching big-hit on centre Ben MacDougall.

Eventually the pressure told and following a series of pick and go’s near the Redruth line Calder was driven over by his fellow forwards, fly-half James Brown kicked the conversion for a 7-5 lead after 22 minutes. Five minutes later the exiles doubled their score, Redruth pulled down a powerful maul from the visitors, Brown kicked the ensuing penalty to the Piggy Lane corner, another drive from the lineout saw Lipp crash over the whitewash, Brown’s conversion leaving the visitors 14-5.

Redruth enjoyed a good period of pressure prior to half-time, but just couldn’t find a way through the well organised Scottish defence, with Joyce Chris Fuca, Steve Wood, Sam Parsons and Nathan Pedley all sniffing a chance before the door was slammed shut. Penberthy was left with a drop-goal option, which flew past the upright.
Playing down the slope second half Redruth needed an early score, there was an early score, but it didn’t go the Reds’ way. Another scrum near the Redruth line saw the irrepressible Lipp pick up and stretch his big paw over the line for his second try of the match, once again Brown was able to add the extras and the Scots seemed set fair at 21-5.

To their credit Redruth raised their game putting the Scottish exiles under severe pressure, the Reds got over the line but Richards was held up. Bright went close on two occasions shortly afterwards but lost the ball over the line and then knocked on near the line. Scottish were clearly infringing under the intense Redruth pressure. Eventually referee Mr. Davies had enough sending both try-scorers Calder and Lipp to the bin in the space in the space of a minute. With a two man advantage Redruth finally got some reward from Mr. Davies as he awarded a penalty-try with Penberthy adding the conversion.

Scottish cleverly managed the remaining time they were short of players with Brown also missing a penalty shot at goal. Bright had a storming run down the grandstand touchline only to be hauled down by winger Tim Holgate. Fresh legs gave Redruth renewed impetus with Nick Simmons on for Richards making a good break into the exiles twenty-two, which lead to a third yellow card for the exiles for replacement hooker Craig McGrath and Penberthy the chance, which he took, to claim a losing bonus point for his side’s brave display against one of National League 1’s front runners.

Redruth 15 pts
Tries – Thirlby, Penalty-try, Conversion – Penberthy, Penalty – Penberthy
London Scottish 21 pts
Tries – Calder, Lipp (2), Conversions – Brown (3)
Yellow Cards – Calder (64), Lipp (65), McGrath (79)

Redruth: P Thirlby, S Hawkey, S Parsons, N Pedley, M Bowden, A Penberthy, M Richards (N Simmons 69); D Jacques, R Brown (M Gidlow 57), P Joyce, D Cook, L Collins, C Fuca, S Wood (O Hambly 57), M Bright (capt)
Replacements (not used): J Wright, S Kenward

London Scottish: J Bordiss, T Holgate, B MacDougall, G Trueman (capt), D Howells, J Brown, S Amor (O Walbyoff 63); A Clarke (M Johnson 57), T Standfield (C McGrath 57), A Fahey, A Newman, J Brown, B Lonergen (M Soden 75), L Calder, W Lipp
Replacement (not used): A Karonias

Referee: Mr. Phillip Davies
Crowd: 775
Redruth man-of-the-match: Peter Joyce

Redruth Reaction
Whilst disappointed not to have won the game Redruth’s Director of Rugby Daveid Penberthy was nevertheless happy to have got some reward from the match “Yes I am pleased we have got some reward, I think our performance especially in the second half was outstanding, every player who took the field for Redruth gave their all. We talk about working for each other playing to the top of your individual game if we do that then the performances will come, to restrict them to four (points) and to come away with a losing bonus point ourselves is bit of a moral victory. Don’t get me wrong we are not happy to have lost, but we need to look at our first half performance and dissect that, but overall I think we are moving in the right direction, there are a lot of sides who have to come here and if we perform like today then I think we can beat them.

Penberthy was especially pleased with his side’s defence “They were a very good side well organised and that comes from a professional outfit, when you can work on these things day in day out then you have got a massive advantage on other teams. They were well organised in defence and pulled as around the field in the first twenty minutes when we conceded two soft tries, the first was almost inevitable as we were at that point under so much pressure, then to concede another just after was disappointing. After our half-time chat I really can’t fault anybody, our heads never dropped even when we conceded a third t, we rolled up our sleeves and got stuck in. In the second half we obliterated their scrum Peter Joyce and Darren Jacques were immense. Sean Hawkey certainly showed some good form today and Sam Parsons continues on the comeback road, showing glimpses of the form when he was with us on loan a couple of seasons ago, Nathan Pedley is as always solid and dependable. Mark Richards and Nick Simmons both gave us plenty of forward momentum. We forced them to infringe and they paid the price with two men in the bin and we took advantage so fair play to us, both sides defended really well but on the day they were just that little bit more clinical.

“When Aaron had that kick at the death my thoughts went back to the Cambridge game when he missed a similar kick to get us a point, but I think today shows just how far he’s come along since that set-back and that goes for the rest of the side too, so overall I think you can say that there is light at the end of the tunnel”.

REDRUTH 26 – 0 CORNISH ALL BLACKS
It was Red faces that were smiling at the end of another pulsating Cornish derby at the Recreation Ground.

The margin of victory was one that only the most fervent Reds’ supporter could have dared dream of before the match, however Redruth were good value for their win in the only National League 1 encounter to survive the weather this weekend. A win that lifts them out of the bottom two in the table.

Redruth couldn’t have wished for a worse start with scrum-half Mark Richards sin-binned with barely a minute on the clock. The Cornish All Blacks looked to attack from the scrum option they took from the penalty award just five meters out from the Redruth line, however they contrived to infringe and the opportunity was lost and their afternoon went downhill from then on.

Aaron Penberthy got the scoreboard ticking with a seventh minute penalty, there was further home joy as full back Jack Nowell crossed for Redruth’s opening try as the first quarter came to a close.

With the Cornish All Blacks all at sea, Redruth sensed the game was there for the taking. The Redruth forwards took the upper hand and scored a second try just before half-time from flanker Steve Wood for a useful 13-0 lead.

The All Blacks almost found a way back into the game when centre Ryan Westren latched on to a loose pass, however the centre needed support as Redruth got back to cover the danger. Winger James Hawken also looked to have a chance until he stripped of the ball by a fine tackle from Penberthy.

Errors continued from the visitors as the pressure mounted as each minute passed, flanker Jake Childs was yellow-carded for All Blacks after 51 minutes to compound matters. Mark Bright was having his usual influential performance for Redruth so when he was also yellow-carded with just nine minutes left many Redruth hearts were in their mouths. They needn’t have worried two strikes by Penberthy in the space of five minutes eased any fears, the first a penalty from 35 meters as the hapless Mal Roberts got into a pickle that led to the penalty and then a drop-goal to put his side more than two scores ahead at 19-0.

With the game won it was fitting that Bright now back on was on hand to score Redruth’s third try picking up from a five metre scrum to power over in Hell fire corner, Penberthy’s conversion sealing a satisfying win for the Reds and piling more pressure on the Cornish All Blacks.

Redruth 26 pts
Tries – Nowell, Wood, Bright, Conversion – Penberthy, Penalties – Penberthy (2), Drop-goal – Penberthy
Yellow Cards – Richards (1), Bright (71)

Cornish All Blacks 0 pts
Yellow Card – Child (49)

BRITISH & IRISH CUP – POOL A

CORNISH PIRATES 54 – 31 CURRIE

Despite his side’s solid start to the defence of their British & Irish Cup Pirates’ High Performance Manager Chris Stirling was measured in his enthusiasm for his side’s performance “It was sketchy it was up and down, when we needed to we really lifted it and played our game and played some really good stuff but in between we slumped and were pretty average to be perfectly honest. We had opportunities we produced some good tries and then were guilty of going to sleep and the opposition all credit to them came here with an attitude of keeping the ball in hand, I don’t think they kicked much all afternoon from hand, and played with some good width and found lots of holes.

Stirling was again concerned about the penalty count against his side “I’ll have to look at the DVD of the game as it’s not always easy to see what’s happening from our position behind the posts, we got pinged for off-side and at the break-down and at times our discipline probably hurt us.

“Defensively we were poor, we were lazy and slow to get into position, if your not in position early you can’t have vision up the field and identify threats and move up to counter them, we created problems for ourselves and the opposition were good enough to take them.

Despite the shortcomings identified by Stirling, which he will look to address during the week he was pleased with his side scoring eight good tries “There were some satisfying aspects of the game there were some high points, but we need to eradicate the errors.

Stirling acknowledged that Currie had played their part in an entertaining game, “They came with the right attitude and I commend them on that, they backed themselves and kept the ball in hand going through multiple phases. If Currie continue to play that way then on their own patch they will cause some teams from the Championship problems.

Stirling was also pleased with prop James Currie’s performance “He went well, I think all the guys who started who hadn’t had a lot of rugby went well, James scrummed hard and worked well, he’s a good round the field player.

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s evening match against Birmingham & Solihull (subject to ground conditions in Birmingham) “I am looking forward to that game back into the Championship, the Bees are very much like today’s opponents Currie in the style they play, so we will be working on defence prior to the game. Then next weekend it’s back to the Cup with Leinster here next Sunday, they will be pretty abrasive and they will back themselves. It’s two to qualify from each group this season but the bonus for the group winners is that they will have a home quarter-final against a runner-up from one of the other pools”.

Currie’s head coach Ally Donaldson though disappointed with the result was nevertheless pleased with his side’s performance “We haven’t played in three weeks neither have we been able to train outside for two weeks until last night, we are disappointed with the final score, in the circumstances we were stepping up a level today, we are pleased with the performance but disappointed with the margin of the final score-line.

“We had a couple of chances to get within a score of the Pirates, but they are a quality side and were able to step up a gear when required, they are a very clinical team, it’s a step up in standard from the Scottish Premiership, hopefully we can learn from that and improve, we’ve got Worcester next Friday night up at Currie if we learn some lessons from today then hopefully we can put together another performance and get a better result.” On this performance Currie will certainly give the Warriors a tough game on home soil.

Donaldson was happy with his backs – who despite being shorn of a couple of regulars out with the Scotland 7’s side in George – showed some good flair against the Pirates, “Hopefully (Dougie Fife and James Johnson) will be back for next week we have some good youngsters coming through players like full back Tom Brown and fly-half Matt Scott have played for Scotland U.20’s others have played for the Scottish Clubs International side.

Despite having to concede ground advantage to get the game played Donaldson was pleased to get a game under his side’s belt “Without a doubt it’s been a great experience for our boys coming down here to play, we see the British & Irish Cup as a development tool for us to improve individually and collectively especially our young boys, Fergus Scott who came on as replacement hooker has only just turned 18 and this will stand him in good stead”.

BRITISH & IRISH CUP POOL A MATCH

By Bill Hooper, at the Mennaye Field, Penzance

The Cornish Pirates got their defence of the British and Irish Cup off to a winning start with a 54-31 win over Scottish Premiership side Currie in a thoroughly entertaining Pool A match at the Mennaye on Saturday afternoon. The game originally scheduled to be played at Currie’s Malleny Park was switched to the Mennaye during mid-week when it became clear that the Scottish venue would be unfit to play on due to the heavy snow in Midlothian.

It was a game that will have left both the Pirates’ high performance director Chris Stirling and Currie’s head coach Ally Donaldson frustrated by their respective side’s defensive performances, not many side’s come to the Mennaye and score 31 points and in Currie’s case it was the more remarkable – in that they had to endure a very early start to fly down Saturday morning from snowbound Edinburgh and that they had played no rugby in three weeks – since their Scottish Premiership win over Melrose on November 20th!

The Pirates began the match the stronger, fly-half Rob Cook spurned an early penalty chance before supplying the scoring pass for winger Wes Davies’ try after just 6 minutes the fly-half’s conversion giving the Pirates just the start they looked for.

From the re-start the Pirates were guilty of giving away a penalty to allow Currie’s New Zealand centre, normally a full-back, Hayden Abercrombie the chance to immediately pull three points back.

Cook and Abercrombie then swapped penalties as both sides fell foul of referee Luke Pearce. The Cornish Pirates upped the tempo to score a second try on 15 minutes with hooker Rob Elloway burrowing over in the clubhouse corner following some good work from Rhodri McAtee and man-of-the-match Mike Myerscough.

Currie continued to look dangerous in the backs with half-backs Richard Snedden and Matt Scott proving a handful, whilst out wide the back three of Andy Turnbull, Alex Dunbar and Tom Brown showed plenty of renowned Scottish pace.

A third penalty success for Abercrombie saw his side chip away at the Pirates’ lead before the homeside lit up the dank afternoon with a sublime third try on 25 minutes, which saw a break by Cook finished off by the dynamic blond duo in the Pirates’ mid-field with Drew Locke turning provider for Matt Hopper to score again towards the clubhouse corner.

The game continued to ebb and flow as Currie hit back with a fine try of their own following a fine move that saw lock Ryan Wilson get over in the old Western National Corner.

Cook kicked a second penalty to give the Pirates a 23-14 lead at half-time.

The second half was barely a minute old when the Pirates had scored their fourth try, a burst from mid-field by scrum-half James Doherty was followed by a chip forward into the 22, the wicked bounce eluded the Currie cover allowing McAtee to collect and run in, Cook’s indifferent kicking continued as the conversion went wide.

Back came Currie with Brown putting in a fine run to set up Scott for their second try with Abercrombie adding the conversion for 28-21.

The Pirates looked to the bench to bring on some fresh legs amongst the replacements Ben Gulliver back from his loan spell at Leicester Tigers.

The Cornish Pirates pulled away again with McAtee scoring his second try of the afternoon with Locke again turning provider.
Abercrombie landed a fourth penalty to bring his side back to 35-24 to harbour hopes of at least getting some reward for their long trip to Cornwall.
The Pirates had enough to keep their visitors at bay with a sixth try scored by Jonny Bentley as they game moved towards the final quarter.

A tap and go by Currie saw the quicksilver Brown rewarded with a try as the full back cut back to score a fine try near the posts which Abercrombie converted for 40-31, but that was as close as the visitors were to get as the Pirates finished off with two more tries, a cross-field kick from Bentley was gathered by Davies who put in full back Grant Pointer for the Pirates’ seventh try in the old Western National Corner with Bentley adding the conversion, the Kiwi was on target again as he added the extras to his countryman Blair Cowan’s try following a big drive by the forwards.

The good sized crowd showed their appreciation to both sides for a real Christmas cracker of a game.

Cornish Pirates 54 pts
Tries – Davies, Elloway, Hopper, McAtee (2), Bentley, Pointer, Cowan, Conversions – Cook (2), Bentley (2), Penalties – Cook (2)

Currie 31 pts
Tries – Wilson, M Scott, Brown, Conversions- Abercrombie (2), Penalties – Abercrombie (4)

Cornish Pirates: G Pointer, W Davies, M Hopper, D Locke (S Winn 59), R McAtee, R Cook (J Bentley 59), J Doherty; P Andrew (C Rimmer 69), R Elloway (T Cowan-Dickie 66 R Elloway 72), J Currie (A Paver 51), I Nimmo (B Gulliver 51), M Myerscough, K Marriott (capt) (C Morgan 61), T Holmes, B Cowen

Currie: T Brown, A Dunbar, H Abercrombie, A MacMahon (A Binikos 39) A Turnbull, M Scott (J Smith 64), R Snedden (A Whitingham 77); J Cox (R Merriles 51), S Simonsen (F Scott 51), A Hamilton, R Wilson, G Temple (A Adam 30-31) (A Best 76), M Cairns (capt), M Entwhistle, R Weston

Referee: Mr Luke Pearce (RFU)

Pirates-man-of-the-match: Mike Myerscough

Currie V The Pirates On Saturday – NOW AT PENZANCE
December 11th
Moved To The Mennaye Field Penzance
Kick Off 2pm

This is an ALL PAY GAME

No Advance tickets for This Match

Tickets £10 Adults/Concessions
Includes entry to the covered stands on a first come first served basis.
Accompanied children under 16 admitted free.

The clubhouse and Travis Perkins marquee will be open to all before, during and after the game, refreshments including’ Fesh Baked’ Hot Warren’s Pasties will be on sale.

The Match Will Not Be Shown On Pirates TV

Get behind the Pirates as they start the defence of their British & Irish Cup won so thrillingly at Camborne last May against Munster.